EDC plans to use smaller power plant

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) is now looking into the possibility of using a smaller power plant for its Northern Negros Geothermal Power Plant (NNGPP) in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

EDC president and chief operating officer Richard Tantoco said this will make its operations more efficient.

"Due to its projected lower output, rightsizing NNGPP is a must to be cost-effective. The size of the plant turbine should match the amount of steam produced," Tantoco said in a press statement furnished to media outlets recently.

NNGPP can only generate an estimated 5 to 10 megawatts by the end of 2011, based on the results of two prolonged testings, from May 2009 to November 2010 and from last April 5, to June 30. The same results were also shown in their analysis of completed surveys and technical data, he said.

Tantoco explained that there is high temperature in the area and the temperature increases towards the buffer zone, which was first established by a study of the Japanese Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund in 1995.

Technical experts measured 285 degrees Centigrade at the buffer zone while the cut-off for commercial temperature for a power project is only 220 degrees Centigrade, he said.

But while there is high temperature, further study indicated there is low permeability and that calcification or mineral scaling inside the well bore is causing the low production, he explained.

The experts from New Zealand and the US tapped by EDC to study the area and validate the findings had concurred with the company's geoscientists that the area is challenging and has permeability concerns, Tantoco said.

Earlier, EDC said it has temporarily closed again NNGPP operations starting this month until December pending further technical studies on the viability of its geothermal resources.

Tantoco assured Negrenses that EDC remains committed to delivering sustainable power to Negros Occidental, and it will carefully study all available options to increase steam production.

He however said these options will only include its existing Pataan area as well as the 12.5-hectare area in the Mt. Kanlaon buffer zone which the firm was allowed to utilize. (FREEMAN)